Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, they belong to J.R.R. Tolkien.
Man of Quality
Chapter 15
His chamber was still lit when he entered, slowly walking toward the first cushioned divan where he settled down onto it, fatigue finally catching up with him. Captain Faramir sighed, letting the words he needed to hear, wanted to hear sink in. His brother died with his honor and that he was not alone. A lonely tear escaped from Faramir's eye as it slowly descended, caressing his cheek, grateful that Lord Elessar had told him everything that he wanted to know. He knew it must have been hard on the King, to tell a relation that their brother betrayed the Fellowship for his own endeavors, admitting his guilt before he died. Aragorn simply stated that there was nothing to forgive. The power of the Ring was beyond them all, except at that moment, the one who carried it. Closing his eyes, he let his thoughts continue to wander, slowly drifting off to the world between wake and sleep. His eyes popped opened to a soft knock at the door. Regaining his bearings he wiped his face, wincing as he had forgotten the bruise that Frodo had inflicted upon him, he answered"Enter"
Long locks of wavy blond hair cleared the door jam followed by the lovely face that belonged to them. "Eowyn" Faramir inquired"what are you doing here, it is late and you should be asleep."
Pausing before continuing to enter the foyer, she let her hands dangle in front of her. The bandages that covered her wrists caused by rope burns sorely stuck out from under her dressing gown. "I could not sleep. I heard footsteps, hoping that it was you that had returned" she managed to say before her voice cracked. She really could not sleep, but it was because she had been playing out the ordeal in her head, each scene taking a turn for the worse. Not helping but noticing a bluish mark upon the fair face she asked"How is Frodo? Did you two quarrel again" she chided changing the subject quickly pointing to the lovely bruise.
Sensing that Eowyn did not want to talk about what was really bothering her, Faramir answered her inquiry as he placed a hand on the divan, signaling her to sit next to him. "Have to watch out for those powerful feet, they are his asset"the Captain teased then on a more somber note"He slept most of the night, until Lord Elessar took over his care. He applied some sort of salve to the injuries, but was still concerned with the laceration upon the little one's stomach. I guess I was falling asleep on the job so to speak, so he relieved me, ordering me to get some rest."
Slipping one of her injured hands into his, she caressed the fingers with her own, smiling into his blue eyes. "You have been crying, my Lord. Tell me, what is wrong" she asked concerndly.
Turning his head away in embarressment, because his father never approved any of his sons showing emotion, he quickly wiped at his face, wincing at the touch, replied sternly"Nothing."
Eowyn was not taken aback, this just made her more determined to push her betrothed. They had shared so much already; both being in the Houses of Healing from wounds inflicted by the Witch-King. It was there that they had fallen in love with each other and found a new perspective to go on living. A life that would not be possible without the determination and a heart so pure, that one little hobbit was willing to forfeit his to save the rest of humanity. "You cannot hide from me my Lord Faramir, for I am beginning to understand your heart. Please, tell me, what is bothering you so"
Faramir turned back towards the lovely Lady of Rohan, embracing her with all his love as he cried upon her shoulders.
Master Mallos saw to it that plenty of herbs were delivered to the Ring-bearer's chambers, followed by extra kettles to warm the water for bathing. Frodo's fever had risen considerably throughout the morning and into early evening, bringing on nightmares so intense that even the King had a sore time trying to hold the hobbit down afraid of injuring him further. After the last bout, and almost getting a shiner that would have paled by comparison to Captain Faramir's, he had decided to give Frodo a bed bath to help bring the fever down.
"Leave...me...alone" the sick hobbit pleaded, his large eyes sweeping over the room at the men standing above him. Then his teary blue's landed on a familiar friend that was with him to the very end. The very end to where he thought he would sleep forever and never wake up. "Sam" he whispered. Then his attention fell to the cloth coming very close to his hips as he felt the covers being lifted from his lower body. "Stop! Do not touch...me" Frodo yelled, trying to strike out as man-sized hands sponged him off just as rapidly as the water became hot from the overheated body.
"Pardon me, Strider, but let me try. You're just making him more mad with what your're doin'" Sam interrupted through the tugs and grunts. Frodo had grabbed hold of the man's bicep, not letting go, as the healer had the hobbit's legs effectively immobilizing them as he did not want to become another victim of those powerul furry feet.
"My Lord, we need to cleanse that wound immediately, before it is too late. If the fever rises, then he will die just from the heat itself" the healer pleaded. "I have herbs that will help calm him."
"And how do you..." the King grunted as the hobbit squeezed tighter upon his arm"propose we get it into him" he asked sarcastically. "Sam, do what you can, for his sake."
Sam manuevered himself upon the bed at his master's side, took up the cloth and began to sponge off Frodo's sweaty brow. "Now, now, Mr. Frodo. No one to get you here. Just Strider, the healer and me self. No use puttin' on such a fuss. Strider's just here to help ya" the gardener cooed into the small ear. As Frodo concentrated on the words being spoken to him, Aragorn, still holding onto the hobbit, or rather the other way around, had slid his body beneath the little one's shoulders, crossing the small arms securing the hands within his.
"Sam" Frodo breathed out rasply"My eyes hurt. They feel sticky and hot. My whole body is on fire. Are we still on the mountain" he managed to ask before his eyes rolled to the back of his head, his body starting to shake uncontrollably.
"We're too late" the healer gasped releasing the hobbit's legs.
Aragorn grabbed the damp cloth from Sam's limp hand, folding it in half before forcing it between Frodo's clenched teeth. "Hold on, Tithen Min. Fight it" Aragorn said aloud, turning the thrashing body over onto its side just in case there was anything left in the little stomach that wanted to come up.
As soon as it had began, the seizure was over. as a warm tingly sensation flowed beneath the Ranger's fingers, a soft uplifting voice humming in his ear. He recognized the melody, the pendant he wore sang it to him often enough now. Looking up, his steele grey eyes focused on the black haired raven beauty standing alongside the unconcious form he held in his arms as her delicate long fingers rested upon trembling flesh.
"Arwen" Aragorn asked"what are you doing"
Without opening her eyes, she explained"Please, Estel, he selflessly supported our child's lifeforce, now it is time for me to return the favor."
"Rest Frodo, be at rest. Soon you will feel the sun on your face again, the grass beneath your feet" Arwen's thoughts reaching out to the hobbit's fey. She felt the pain, the fear and took it away from the little one, tossing it to one side as if it were merely some bug she set free. Frodo sat huddled in a dark corner, her presence lighting the way to his freedom.
"My...Lady" he spoke, his voice quavering.
"Yes, Frodo. I have something to return to you. Do you remember" she asked spreading the fabric of her skirt wide, hiding something within the folds.
The master of Bag End squinted, thinking hard on the Queen's question. "I...I touched you and the pendant you are wearing now, started to glow and...and sing."
"Yes. The singing you heard was the spirit of Estel's and my unborn child that your selfless shining spirit helped save" she said, letting her dress fall to her side revealing a boy of five years of age. Frodo stared into the child's grey eyes, the face a mirror image of the King, with hair as dark as Arwen's. The voice of the Queen broke off his eye contact, then the child was gone. "I have come to return what you had given me, Tithen Min" she said walking toward the hobbit with an outstretched hand, touching his forehead.
Aragorn noticed that Frodo's body became lax in his arms, his labored breathing finally settling into an even rhythm. Then a melodic tune rang throughout the room. "I have him, Estel. He will be all right while you tend him" she advised. Nodding his head, the King released his hold upon the Ring-bearer laying him out proper to treat the abdominal wound.
"What are you doing" Sam asked.
"Treating Frodo's wound. Arwen assured me he is fine" he non chalantly relayed to the stout hobbit.
"You think it wise, my Lord, in his condition" the healer asked.
Annoyed by the delay, Aragorn replied"You heard Arwen. She is holding Frodo."
"Um, beg your pardon, Strider, but Lady Arwen has not said one word since she touched me master" Sam stated matter of factly. "In fact she seems asleep herself, not even flinched one muscle."
"What? But I heard...She said..." the King said exasparated. "Oh, never mind. Master Mallos, quickly now, you have the powdered myhr" he questioned the healer.
"Yes, My Lord. It has been infusing" Mallos answered quickly, because the once chaotic feeling of the room had now become urgent as time was not on their side. The healer had no idea what the King meant when he said that the Queen "had" the Ring-bearer. Whatever it meant though, it was obvious that she did not have long to hold him.
"Sam, fetch some more cloths and soak them, and towels so that we can have a dry barrier between him and the bedding. I am afraid it has been soiled during his seizure. I do not want to break the bond between him and Arwen, so we are going to have to work around them" Aragorn said spouting off orders.
The White Wizard roamed the halls leading to the King's chambers when he was brought up short by two individuals half his height. Curly heads buried themselves into Gandalf's robes, bouncing freely as muffled voices praised his return.
"Oh, Gandalf, where have you been? Captain Faramir had been arrested and Frodo was hurt and..." Pippin blurted out without so much of thinking of what he said.
"Slow down Peregrin Took. You are not making any sense" Gandalf said as he unknowingly grabbed hold of the hobbit's injured shoulder pulling him from his cloak.
"Oi" Pippin exclaimed wrenching from the Wizard's grasp.
Gandalf had not seen the bandaged shoulder until then, his astonished look more noticeable under the bushy brows and white beard. "Please forgive me, Peregrin. What has happened here? How did you get injured"
Merry stepped forward this time as his cousin leaned in on him. "There has been an attack against the King for the release of some of Sauron's minions. The Ruffians had several people held hostage inside King Elessar's state room. They had threatened torture if Aragorn would not comply. Negotiations did not go well and Frodo was made an example of" Merry whispered, trying to clear his throat.
"Where is Frodo? Where is King Elessar" The Wizard demanded of the hobbits.
"We were just about to go there, to Sam and Frodo's room, if you want to follow. Aragorn has been in Frodo's room all morning. No word has been sent about his condition, I have been with Pippin until today. One of the Ruffian's swords nicked him in the dark. Just a flesh wound, but he is complaining it has been itching. The healer has not been back to check on Pippin's bandages this morning. So, I figure we would go see him" Merry finished telling his tale as he stood back and watched his younger cousin scratch away at the material covered shoulder.
"Very well, lead the way" Gandalf told the two hobbits as his worry over Frodo started to crease his brow.
The door had been knocked upon several times before being opened by Sam. Standing in a huff was Master Pippin and Master Merry with the most worn for wear Wizard he had seen in many months. "Oh, sirs, I was jes about to come and fetch you both. Welcome back, Gandalf, sir" Sam said wearily, but there was a twinkle in his eye.
"Gandalf" a small voice questioned from the middle of the large bed, Aragorn's body hiding the owner of it from plain view.
The White Wizard would recognize that voice at any level, and found himself relieved when he heard it. Hastily shoving past the Ring-bearer's cousins, he crossed the room finding himself staring down at the most littlest form he had ever seen. It seemed to him that his dear friend's cousin had shrunk since last seeing him not a fortnight ago. It was not his body, but the hobbit's voice that sounded like a child who had taken ill. Once rounded red cheeks were sunken in, dark circles underlined blue ocean depths, ribs protruding against thin skin and the scars were more emaciated than ever before. Frodo looked worse now than when he was rescued from Mt. Doom and he vowed to find out what happened. Schooling his anger he addressed the one lying helpless in the bed"My dear Frodo, I just returned to hear you have been up to your old tricks again. What have you gotten yourself into, my lad" Gandalf spoke softly, cupping the warm pale face within his hand, staring into the small one's eyes.
Concentrating on the old face, Frodo smiled lopsidedly"Have you seen Aragorn's son" he whispered.
Gandalf's eyes bulged at the question, his eyes seeking Aragorn, but found the Queen instead, sleeping soundly on a divan next to the Ring-bearer's bed. He could see the light glowing within her. Indeed the Elf was with child. The King's child. The fourth age of Man had begun and he would be leaving for the shores of Valinor soon. He hoped he would not be going alone. "No, I have not, my boy, but I am sure I will. Do not worry" the Wizard said softly, stroking Frodo's cheek.
"Aragorn says I have to go to sleep now. You...you will be here when I wake up" the little one asked, his heavy lids closing over blue eyes, a long sigh resounding as his head relaxed into the down pillow.
"Yes, I will be. I will sit right here until you do, my boy" Gandalf said, waiting until Frodo's breathing became even and deep signalling that he was asleep before turning his attention to the King. "What happened, Aragorn"
"It is a long story, my friend, one that I think can wait until I have had something to eat and have taken my wife back to her bed" Aragorn said. "Master Mallos, thank you for your assistance, I believe Frodo will recover without any recourse."
"Good" Merry said, listening in on the prior conversations. "Mallos, Pippin's been itcing something awful. It is driving me crazy. Can you please take a look at him" the Honary Knight of Rohan asked.
"Yes, please let me have a look Master Peregrin" the healer asked, sitting the young Knight of Gondor upon a stool, unwrapping the guaze from the upper arm. As he unwound it, the old man asked for Aragorn's opinion"My Lord"
Noticing from that distance, the same blisters had formed around the cut, but not as severe as Frodo's but suspected just as irritating even though the skin had been covered, Pippin's constant scratching had irritated the skin. "This ointment should help with the itching and burning Pippin. You have encountered the same irritation as Frodo and Sam" the King said, applying the homemade ointment onto the burning skin.
Pippin jumped at first contact, but once the ointment soaked in, the burning and itching seemed to have magically disappeared. His face slackened as he let out a long sigh.
"That better" Merry asked.
"Much. Thanks, Strider. I owe you...well, I am too tired to think of something now, but I will" the future Thain said, much gratitude in his voice.
"No need, Pippin. Just leave this on, Master Mallos will rewrap your arm. See him again in the morning for another application" Aragorn smiled, placing a hand on the opposite shoulder. "I am very grateful for all your help. I had heard you gave Faramir some pointers on the many uses of the Elven cloak. Without it, Frodo would be...well, let us not think on what could have been. You were very brave Pippin to stay put until it was safe to come and tell us what you had heard."
Speechless, Merry took the opportunity to usher his cousin out of the room and head him in the direction of their quarters with Gandalf"Thanks, Strider and I will be sure he follows your orders."
"Now" the King announced, gently lifting his sleeping wife into his arms"I think it wise to let Frodo sleep as well as Arwen recover her strength. Gandalf, would you mind staying with our dear Ring-bearer until I return, then I will tell all since you have been away."
"Yes, yes, of course. Just bring back a spot of tea and I shall sit right here anticipating your tale, for this little one has had enough pain and strife, I think, to last a lifetime" Gandalf retorted, feeling quite agitated at whom else would do harm to the shireling.
Aragorn did not take to heart the harsh sounding words. He just merely nodded before heading out the door with Arwen resting her head against his broad shoulders.
After a hurried meal, the King returned to Frodo's chambers where he found the White Wizard sitting at the bedside smoking his pipe, curls of smoke drifting throughout the room. Sam also sat in one of the chairs, but had fallen asleep probably from total exhaustion. The stout servant helped keep an eye on his master, just in case Arwen had to "release" him early. Observing that the ill hobbit still slept, Aragorn pulled up another chair and took the opportunity to tell Gandalf everything from Frodo's fall, false accusations toward Faramir, and the Ruffians who terrorized their hostages before a plan was put into motion.
Gandalf sat there, taking it all in, his eyes flickering toward Frodo whenever there was the slightest rustle of fabric, leaving noticeable teeth marks on his pipe when described the agonized scream coming from Bilbo's nephew. The old Wizard cleared his throat"You did what you thought best, my Lord. Do not blame yourself for what happened as I am sure no one else here does" Gandalf said meaning the one lying prone in the bed.
"He will not wake up for a while yet, would you perhaps like to wash up and get a bite to eat" Aragorn suggested, taking his own pipe from his pocket, lighting its contents.
"No, I am fine. I told Frodo I would be here when he awoke and here is where I'll be" Gandalf said, stubbornly kicking his feet up onto an ottoman, blowing smoke into the already cloudy room.
"Now you are getting to be just as stubborn as Sam" Aragorn smiled kicking his feet up as well, settling down into what would be a long night.
tbc...